Graeme Downie

The Procurement Act 2023, which came into force on 24 February this year, introduces new powers to exclude, terminate or debar suppliers from public sector supply chains on a variety of grounds. In line with the Act, the Government will operate the new powers on a country-agnostic basis, with each supplier and type of technology examined individually. We remain committed to protecting our critical national infrastructure and will continue to keep under review the risks associated with internet-facing technologies and components on an ongoing basis, both where they fall in scope of the Procurement Act and through other levers.

The National Security Unit for Procurement (NSUP) will support the implementation of new powers to protect public procurement from suppliers that pose a threat to national security. It will become operational on commencement of the Procurement Act on February 24th 2025 and we plan to publish guidance for contracting authorities on the application of the national security exclusion grounds ahead of that date. This is being complemented by more general training and engagement on the act run by the Cabinet Office’s Transforming Public Procurement Programme, and the wider suite of guidance which is already available.

This Government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously and we operate one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. This is an important lever for promoting both UK prosperity and national and global security.

We rigorously assess every application on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (the SELC). We review all new licence applications on this basis taking into account all current information available at the time including the situation in the end destination. We also keep all our extant licences (which typically last for two years) under continual review. The FCDO advises DBT on the situation in country and the risks this poses with respect to the UK’s export control responsibilities.

This Government takes its export control responsibilities very seriously and we operate one of the most robust and transparent export control regimes in the world. This is an important lever for promoting both UK prosperity and national and global security.

We rigorously assess every application on a case-by-case basis against strict assessment criteria, the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria (the SELC). We review all new licence applications on this basis taking into account all current information available at the time including the situation in the end destination. We also keep all our extant licences (which typically last for two years) under continual review. The FCDO advises DBT on the situation in country and the risks this poses with respect to the UK’s export control responsibilities.

We publish information on export licence outcomes as part of official statistics published on gov.uk by the Department for Business and Trade on behalf of the Export Control Joint Unit. The latest general statistics, which were classified as Official Statistics in Development, were published on 27 February 2025 and cover licence decisions to 30 September 2024. They are available to view on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.

We do not routinely publish information about in progress licence applications. Hundreds of licensing decisions are taken each week so the precise number of applications in progress changes on a daily basis. Once an application has received an outcome, it will be published as official statistics in the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls.

Information relating to export licensing decisions covering the period 1 October 2024 – 31 December 2024 will be published on 15 May 2025.

We publish information on export licence outcomes as part of official statistics published on gov.uk by the Department for Business and Trade on behalf of the Export Control Joint Unit. The latest general statistics, which were classified as Official Statistics in Development, were published on 27 February 2025 and cover licence decisions to 30 September 2024. They are available to view on GOV.UK at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/strategic-export-controls-licensing-data.

We do not routinely publish information about in progress licence applications. Hundreds of licensing decisions are taken each week so the precise number of applications in progress changes on a daily basis. Once an application has received an outcome, it will be published as official statistics in the Annual and Quarterly Reports on Strategic Export Controls.

Information relating to export licensing decisions covering the period 1 October 2024 – 31 December 2024 will be published on 15 May 2025.

The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK-Taiwan Trade Talks have taken place since 1991 and I look forward to co-chairing these this year. Under the UK and Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership we have committed to developing 'pillars' on Investment, Digital Trade and Renewable Energy and Net Zero. We are working with the Taiwanese authorities to develop and deliver these.

UK-Taiwan Trade Talks and the Enhanced Trade Partnership will support our strong unofficial relationship with Taiwan, based on deep and growing ties in a range of areas, including trade and investment.

As an open economy the UK welcomes foreign trade and investment where it supports growth, meets our regulatory requirements, and does not compromise our national security. This Government will take a consistent, long term and strategic approach to managing relations with China. We will co-operate where we can, compete where we have different interests, and challenge where we must. Large market shares can extend across the supply chain; alongside efforts to de-risk our supply chains, we will therefore also continue to work with our international partners to manage the continued implications of overreliance on any one actor.

The Department collaborates with other government departments, agencies and industry partners to understand and mitigate threats to energy infrastructure, setting robust regulatory standards for cyber through the Network and Information Systems Regulations. This includes working with regulators to ensure these regulations cover critical operators as the sector evolves.

Recognising the importance of renewable and smart energy systems for flexibility and decarbonisation, the department is working to ensure the system is developed in a way that is secure by design, and protects energy supply, infrastructure and consumers. As part of this work, Government has published two consultation packages which sets out proposals for minimum security and grid stability requirements, including for organisations remotely controlling electrical load.

We take a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing relations with China and will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.

As an open economy, we welcome foreign trade and investment where it supports growth and jobs in the UK and meets our legal and regulatory requirements. We work closely with industry to build secure supply chains and back UK businesses. The government has also established Great British Energy to drive forward greater investment in clean, home-grown energy production and to build supply chains across the UK.

While I have not yet had any discussion on this matter, I welcome news of any plans that Scottish Power may have for developing projects that could help in the transition to clean power, including hydrogen production. Low carbon hydrogen can play a key role in our 2030 Clean Power Mission, as well as creating good jobs in our industrial heartlands, delivering a just transition, and achieving net zero.

As of 30 September, there were 119,244 members of the Mineworkers’ Pension Scheme.

The Prime Minister has emphasised that national security is the first duty of our government. Supply chain resilience and security remains a core part of this, and multiple government departments are working closely with international partners to embed resilience into critical UK and global supply chains. The Procurement Act and National Security and Investment Act are particularly important aspects of our toolkit for safeguarding critically important technology infrastructure.

The Government is carrying out a full and comprehensive audit on the breadth of the UK’s relationship with China, which will bring a consistent, long-term and strategic approach to managing the UK’s relations with China, rooted in UK and global interests, so we can will co-operate where we can, compete where we need to, and challenge where we must.

Growing innovative manufacturing companies will be key to unlocking growth across the economy.

Optics has many applications across different sectors and we provide a range of support for firms specialising in it. For example, UKRI is funding over £116,000 to the University of Edinburgh and Optos PLC based in Dunfermline to develop technology for optical medical devices.

The National Physical Laboratory provides a comprehensive range of optical calibration and measurement services, supporting industry in the design and production of optical components.

We are aware of creative industry concerns relating to the use of copyright works by generative AI developers without a licence.

We believe that greater certainty over copyright and AI would support growth in both the creative industries and the AI sector.

This is a complex topic, and we want to take the time to carefully consider the issues and their economic impacts, including the use of copyright content by generative AI developers.

That is why the Government will soon be launching a consultation on copyright and AI. We welcome evidence of economic impact from the creative and media sectors.

The Government believes that greater certainty over copyright and AI would support growth in both the creative industries and the AI sector.

This is a complex topic, and we want to take the time to hear stakeholder views and carefully consider the issues, including the licensing of copyright content for use by generative AI models.

The Government is engaging with stakeholders to inform its approach and will soon be launching a consultation on a package of measures to address copyright and AI issues.

The UK is consistently rated as having one of the best IP systems in the world, allowing innovators to protect their IP and seek remedy through the courts when it is infringed.

We are not aware of widespread concerns about the potential impact of IP theft on the AI sector but welcome reports of any instances of theft, to inform our awareness on this issue.

Animal Health Certificates are obtained from an official veterinarian. All fees are set by veterinary surgeons or veterinary practices and are a private matter between individual practices and their clients.

Defra applied to the European Commission in February 2020 for the United Kingdom (UK) and Crown Dependencies to be listed as a ‘Part 1’ third country for the purposes of the EU pet travel scheme having met all of the EU’s stated conditions to be granted this. However, the EU formally ‘listed’ the UK as a ‘Part 2’ third country, meaning pet owners can no longer use pet passports issued in Great Britain (GB) for travel to the EU and instead need a single use Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

The Government wants to reset our relationship with the EU and will meet with European partners over the coming months to discuss how we might deepen cooperation. However, it is too early to speculate on the scope or outcome of these discussions, including in relation to pet travel.

Defra applied to the European Commission in February 2020 for the United Kingdom (UK) and Crown Dependencies to be listed as a ‘Part 1’ third country for the purposes of the EU pet travel scheme having met all of the EU’s stated conditions to be granted this. However, the EU formally ‘listed’ the UK as a ‘Part 2’ third country, meaning pet owners can no longer use pet passports issued in Great Britain (GB) for travel to the EU and instead need a single use Animal Health Certificate (AHC).

The Government wants to reset our relationship with the EU and will meet with European partners over the coming months to discuss how we might deepen cooperation. However, it is too early to speculate on the scope or outcome of these discussions, including in relation to pet travel.

The government recognises the potential decarbonisation and growth benefits that new forms of zero-emission aircraft using hydrogen could provide.

The Department for Business and Trade is co-investing with industry through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme in R&D on aerospace technology, including projects focussed on hydrogen-powered aircraft. The Budget confirmed a five-year extension to the ATI programme with nearly £1bn of funding.

Supported by Department for Transport funding, the Civil Aviation Authority is also expanding its Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge this year.

The Jet Zero Taskforce, convening representatives from government, industry, and academia, has established a dedicated Task and Finish group to review barriers to the commercial operation of zero-carbon hydrogen aircraft.

In addition, as Minister for Aviation I have recently met with the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance regarding the potential for commercial hydrogen-powered aircraft.

The government recognises the potential decarbonisation and growth benefits that new forms of zero-emission aircraft using hydrogen could provide.

The Department for Business and Trade is co-investing with industry through the Aerospace Technology Institute (ATI) Programme in R&D on aerospace technology, including projects focussed on hydrogen-powered aircraft. The Budget confirmed a five-year extension to the ATI programme with nearly £1bn of funding.

Supported by Department for Transport funding, the Civil Aviation Authority is also expanding its Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge this year.

The Jet Zero Taskforce, convening representatives from government, industry, and academia, has established a dedicated Task and Finish group to review barriers to the commercial operation of zero-carbon hydrogen aircraft.

In addition, as Minister for Aviation I have recently met with the Hydrogen in Aviation Alliance regarding the potential for commercial hydrogen-powered aircraft.

The Government takes the security and resilience of our critical infrastructure extremely seriously. We balance this with ongoing cooperation with China on trade and investment, supporting UK businesses to engage with the world’s second largest economy while being clear-eyed about any risks.

We work with the National Cyber Security Centre, National Protective Security Authority and across government to advise owners and operators of critical national infrastructure on supply chains and the risks posed by components manufactured overseas. We may also consider powers afforded by the Procurement Act 2023, which allow the Government to exclude and debar any company from public procurement on grounds of national security if required. We continue to actively monitor for any threats and, where risks are identified, will not hesitate to take action, with policy options kept under review.

Guidance can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wreck-and-salvage-law. Local port acts may contain additional definitions that may vary from act to act.

The gov.uk website provides a definition of abandoned when discussing derelict vessels. Guidance is available on Wreck and salvage law - GOV.UK and port association websites.

We announced in the Pathways to Work Green Paper that we would establish a new guarantee of support for all disabled people and people with health conditions claiming out of work benefits who want help to get into or return to work. This is backed up by £1 billion of new funding across the United Kingdom, with the share of funding for devolved governments calculated in the usual way.

In Northern Ireland employment support is fully transferred. In Scotland and Wales, the Department for Work and Pensions and the Scottish and Welsh Governments have concurrent powers to deliver employment support, with some provision delivered and funded directly by DWP and some funding devolved through the block grant.

As outlined in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are committed to working in partnership with the Scottish and Welsh Governments on shared employment ambitions across devolved and reserved provision, which includes employment support measures in the Health and Disability Green Paper.

The Disability Confident scheme expenditure is not separately recorded within departmental budgets.

The work allowance for individuals who are found limited capability for work and work related activity (LCWRA) will remain unchanged to continue to incentivise people to try work.

In the reformed system, work allowances will continue to be available to those who receive the UC health element. We want to enable people to take advantage of this strong financial incentive to work, which means they can earn up to £404 a month (or over £673 if they don’t get help with housing costs) without their benefits being affected.

We published an Equality Analysis and Policy Rationale impacts alongside the Spring Statement.

Further analysis for the measures in the Green Paper, not included in the Spring Statement, will be published in due course.

No decision has been made on this policy. The key principle of our focus for 18-21 year olds should be helping them to be earning or learning, because of the long-term scarring effects for young people of a period of unemployment. That is why we are consulting on delaying access to the UC health top up until age 22 with savings reinvested into work support and training opportunities.

Universal Credit Health caseload statistics are available on DWP Stat-Xplore and were most recently updated with December 2024 data.

In December 2024, 13,650 and 68,350 16- to 21-year-olds in Great Britain were in the Limited Capability for Work (LCW) and Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity (LCWRA) groups respectively.

Table: 16–21-year-olds in (a) Dunfermline and Dollar, (b) Scotland and (c) Great Britain on the UC Health caseload (December 2024)

1. Statistical disclosure control has been applied to this table to avoid the release of confidential data and are rounded to the nearest 10.
2. Totals may not sum due to this disclosure control and rounding.
3. Figures are a count of the number of people on Universal Credit health on the second Thursday of the month.
4. Figures are Experimental Official Statistics

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